Solano calls for smarter Magpies

Newcastle full-back Nolberto Solano has warned his side they will need to use their heads if they are to dump AZ Alkmaar out of the UEFA Cup.

The 32-year-old Peruvian was in the team which failed to open up derby rivals Middlesbrough - who drew 0-0 in Alkmaar in last season's competition - in the Barclays Premiership at the weekend.

"You cannot play long balls to Kieron (Dyer) and Oba (Martins) because they are quite small. That's why we must be positive, play through the midfield and use the ball intelligently. From there, we can create chances," said Solano. "We did not score against Boro, but we know that we have to score tonight (Thursday) to get through."

Louis van Gaal's AZ represent the biggest challenge yet to Newcastle's hopes of going all the way in Europe this season having dispensed with Turkish outfit Fenerbahce in the last round.

The Dutch club scored three times in Istanbul before behind pegged back to 3-3, and then recovered from a 2-0 deficit at the DSB Stadium to reach the last 16 on the away goals rule.

Solano added: "They are very organised and a very good tactical side.

"They will create chances here, but we know we have to create opportunities and take them here too if we want a good result to take over to Holland next week."

One of the few positive from Saturday's derby stalemate was the relative ease with which Glenn Roeder's defenders kept a clean sheet, their first in 15 attempts in the Premiership dating back to November 26.

Oguchi Onyewu will once again make way as he is ineligible in the competition, although Roeder has been boosted by the return of Stephen Carr from injury, potentially paving the way for Steven Taylor to move back into central defence.

Having experienced extended Champions League and UEFA Cup campaigns during his two spells at St James' Park, Solano is well aware just how important another blank could be. He said: "We are capable of keeping clean sheets - and do not forget, this game is 180 minutes long, so we need to concentrate."